Take One Action 2018 lineup announced

Themes featured in this year’s festival include female empowerment, the struggle for true democracy and the reality of displacement

Take One Action, the UK’s leading social change film festival, is returning for its 11th edition this Autumn. The festival comes to Edinburgh and Glasgow on the 12–23 September and then heads to Aberdeen (16–18) and Inverness (23–25) in November. It brings with it an inspiring programme of 17 feature documentaries, and 24 short fiction, animation and documentary films – including two European and three UK premieres.

The festival’s 2018 programme responds to some of the most crucial issues in our times and each screening is followed by a conversation that empowers participants to explore these issues and take action themselves.

One of the main focus’ this year is female empowerment and as a result, 60% of the features are directed or co-directed by women. One of the films featured that encapsulates this theme is the European premiere of Time For Ilhan, which follows the first Somali refugee to be elected into the US House of Representatives.

Time for IlhanSocial movements and the fight for true democracy are also key themes this year with several titles exploring this subject. Kinshasa Makambo looks at two grassroots activists fighting for fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Another central concern is migration and the reality of displacement. This theme is to be specifically explored in a short film programme presented alongside three community events with Kinning Park Complex, Maryhill Integration Network and the Refugee Community Kitchen.

Finally, at the festival’s core is its fight against climate change, and these themes will be strongly represented in the programme. The opening film and UK premiere of Anote’s Ark presents an imagined look at a Pacific island’s fate, as rising ocean levels threaten the land and citizens face the possibility of becoming climate refugees.

Kinshasa MakamboVenues for the film festival include a variety of interesting and unique places like a boutique two-seater cinema in a Leith police box, community spaces and the cities’ most iconic independent cinemas, Edinburgh Filmhouse and the GFT. Collaborations with community charities like Kinning Park Complex and Glasgow Women’s Library are a welcome new feature this year.

Executive Director of Take One Action, Tamara Van Strijthem, commented: ‘Take One Action was set up in 2008 to bring people together, nurture conversations and empower audiences to be the change they want to see in the world – starting from Scotland. By providing access to crucial, moving stories from all over the globe as well as the information and tools to push for positive social change within their community and beyond, this festival harnesses the transformative power of film to foster a strong sense of connection.’